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How to Prevent Labels from Melting or Warping in Hot-Filled Products

If you’ve ever had labels warp, peel, or slide right off bottles or jars after hot filling, you know how frustrating and costly that can be. We’ve seen it all, and we know what works (and what doesn’t). It’s always best to apply labels on a clean, dry, and room temperature container. But, sometimes it is necessary to hot fill.

Here’s what you need to know to keep your labels intact in hot-fill conditions.

Quick Checklist to Avoid Hot-Fill Label Failures:

Select heat-resistant label materials (like BOPP or PET)
Use adhesives specifically rated for high temperatures
Make sure containers are clean, dry, and prepped right
Choose label finishes that add durability (laminates, varnishes)
Test label performance in real-world conditions before scaling up

Pick the Right Label Material

The first thing to get right is your label material. Not all of them handle heat the same way. We recommend:

BOPP (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene): Durable, heat-tolerant, and reliable.
PET (Polyester): Excellent heat resistance and dimensional stability.
MDO: Similar to BOPP in terms of durability, heat tolerance, and reliability, MDO may be the better option depending on the container due to its flexibility.

Standard paper labels? Paper labels are possible for hot-fill products but be mindful of the type of adhesive used.

Not sure which material makes sense for your product? Contact us and we’ll walk you through it.

Choose Heat-Resistant Adhesives

Your adhesive is just as important as your material (if not more). Without the right one, even the best label will fail.

Most high-temp adhesives are rated for around 180–200°F, but results can vary depending on your container and fill speed. Always check the adhesive spec sheet and make sure it’s tested for your exact application.

Add Label Finishing for Extra Protection

Finishes help your label survive the journey from fill line to store shelf. They protect against scuffs, moisture, and the occasional warehouse disaster. Here’s what we like:

Clear polypropylene or PET lamination: Great for moisture and abrasion resistance. Check out our lamination options.
UV Varnishes: Good for extra durability without changing the feel too much.

Some finishes can change the look or feel a bit, so test them out before you commit.

Prep Your Containers the Right Way

Labels don’t stand a chance on a wet or dirty surface. And if you’re labeling plastics like polypropylene or HDPE, you’re starting with a tough surface to bond to. Here’s what helps:

Dry the containers completely. Use air knives or drying tunnels.
Wipe away oils, dust, or residue.

Prep won’t fix everything, but it goes a long way toward keeping your labels where they belong.

Apply Labels Under the Right Conditions

When it comes to applying labels after a hot fill, timing and pressure make all the difference:

Temperature: Wait until containers cool to below 90°F before labeling.
Pressure: Use consistent pressure so the label fully bonds.
Dwell Time: Let the adhesive cure for at least 24–72 hours before handling or shipping. That gives it time to fully settle in, especially in humid or changing environments.

Running at scale? Run a small test batch first and check with your applicator manufacturer for pressure settings.

Validate and Test Before You Go All In

Even with the right setup, things can go sideways. That’s why testing is key. We suggest:

Run a short trial batch.
Mimic your exact fill and cooling process.
Check your labels right away, then again after 24 and 72 hours.

Look for curling, peeling, bubbling, or anything that could get worse later. A little testing up front can save you a lot of headaches later.

Quick Summary

If you want labels that stay put after hot filling, you need the right combo of materials, adhesive, prep, and finishing.

Need help figuring it out? Contact us and we’ll help you find the right setup for your product, container, and process.

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4 Key Candle Label Considerations

Whether your candles are sold at your local farmers market or in stores across the country, high-quality candle labels play an important role in the success of your brand. Candle labels may seem simple at first, but there are several factors that can make your investment go up in smoke. Here’s what you should consider when investing in new labels for your candles.

Include Valuable Basic Information

While various products need to share different information depending on the nature of the components, there are some details that are pretty standard for every product label. As such, you’ll want to start by including the following pieces of information on your candle labels:

Product name
Company name and logo
A unit of measurement (in this case, candle weight)
Contact information/website

Once those are covered, there are some candle-specific details you should add. The following information will provide consumers with some specific details that will help them decide which of your products is right for them.

Candle scent
Type of wax used
Projected burn time (hours the candle will last)
Container specifications

Four candles with custom labels.

Add Recommended Fire Safety Details

While candles aren’t as closely regulated as products like alcohol, CBD/THC goods, or other items, there are some label standards in place. As the major trade association representing U.S. candle manufacturers and suppliers, the National Candle Association (NCA) notes that every candle should include the following three fire safety rules included on its packaging:

Burn within sight
Keep away from things that can catch fire
Keep away from children

The NCA isn’t too specific on where this information should be listed, so the label, a tag, or even a dust cover are acceptable places for listing the warnings. In addition to the three rules, the NCA also suggests adding graphic safety symbols to represent each rule. Those symbols are available for downloaded on the NCA site.

While the fire safety rules and graphics are a good start – and mandatory for any NCA members – it’s also good practice to include some form of manufacturer instructions for burning your candles properly. Candles are tested according to the ASTM F2417 Fire Safety Standard, which will allow you to provide customers with instructions about burn length, which type of container to use (if one is not provided), and other important details.

Optimize Label Placement

Between branding and information, you may reach a point where you’re tight on label space. Fortunately, you may be able to utilize the size, shape, and packaging or your candle to improve your branding.

It’s no surprise that the side of your candle – or the container it sits in – is a prime spot for label placement. However, you shouldn’t overlook the underside of your product. While the side of your panel is a great spot for basic product info and special design elements, you can include fire safety and other less brand-heavy details on a separate label applied to the bottom of your candle or container. Container lids also offer more potential for labeling space. If it has a surface, there’s an opportunity for branding as long as your label can survive in that space.

Identify the Right Label Material and Adhesive for Candles

Your customers aren’t the only ones who need to be careful with fire. The heat created by your candles also plays a direct role in your choice of label material and adhesive. While you don’t have to stay close to the flame, your label doesn’t have a choice. This close proximity to the heat the flame emits means your label needs to withstand temperatures up to 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit depending on your product.

In addition, candle labels must handle repeated fluctuations in temperature, i.e.when your candle is lit or put out. The right choice of material and adhesive can help prevent premature label failure. For example, a thick biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) material and an acrylic adhesive is more likely to withstand the heat.

Your application surface and process also plays a part in your choice of materials and adhesive. Every surface creates different challenges. For example, the wax of a candle has a different surface energy and adhesive needs than a glass jar. Your choice of hand or machine application will also play into which labels are right for you (along with other key details like unwind direction that can impact application).

Sweet strawberry candles with custom labels.

Invest in the Best Labels for Your Candles

From design to application, there are several variables that can impact the success of your labels. However, it can be difficult to identify the right solution for your exact product without an expert.

Fortunately, Blue Label can help you figure out how to get the most out of your candle labels. Our experts can work with you to not only determine the right materials and adhesives for your labels, but also how to enhance your designs through special printing capabilities. Contact us today if you’re ready to invest in custom candle labels for your business.

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Hot or Cold? The Role of Temperature in Label Durability

If your products will get hot or cold, it’s important to make sure your choice of label is just right. Whether your containers encounter hot or cold temperatures during application or sometime after, temperature can play a prominent role in identifying the right label for your situation. Here are some specific problems where hot and cold temperatures can wreak havoc with the durability of your product labels.

Heat or Cold Can Make Some Adhesives Fail

Behind every good label is some very important ‘glue’ – literally. Without the adhesive, you’d be stuck with some really nice leaflets to hand out with some blank containers. Unfortunately, hot or cold temperatures can be a dividing force that tears your containers and labels apart.

Temperatures issues can happen right away during the application process. Label adhesives have varying minimum application temperatures. If you apply a label with a certain adhesive outside of its recommended temperature range, it may not have the tack or adhesion necessary to stay on a container. For example, an acrylic adhesive may be a good choice for products that are hot-filled or exposed to higher temperatures, but it may pose problems in colder applicating conditions.

Different temperatures can also cause adhesives to fail at some point after initial application. For example, extreme cold or heat can cause removable label adhesives to break down. After a stay in the freezer or some time in direct sunlight on a summer day, your labels may start to peel off or fall off their containers altogether. In these instances, it would be better to opt for a permanent label designed to handle difficult, environmental factors.

A cold, wet beer can with a pressure sensitive label going through a filling machine.

Some Face Stocks Can’t Face Certain Temperatures

In addition to your adhesive, there’s another critical layer of your label that can be negatively affected by hot or cold temperatures: your face stock. Certain label materials can run into performance issues when forced into environments that are too hot or cold. Fortunately, a little planning can make sure your choice of substrate is perfect for your exact needs.

The first step is to think about exactly where your products and their labels will be in the future? Are they a bottle label that will end up in a refrigerator or a cooler? Will these products end up sitting out in the hot sun or a steamy bathroom? Will they potentially sit in a storage space for a while? Each environment can pose it’s own temperature issues, along with other environmental factors like moisture, humidity, and sunlight.

When it comes to face stocks, film substrates offer better resistance to heat and other damaging elements. Utilizing a material like a BOPP or PET substrate can help give you more peace of mind if your product will encounter any environmental hazards in its future. While paper stocks don’t have quite the durability of their film compatriots, UV varnishes or thicker paper materials can help mitigate the impacts of various temperatures and other issues.

Heat and Cold Can Make Shrink Sleeves Warp

Pressure-sensitive labels aren’t the only labeling option affected by varying temperatures. Shrink sleeve labels also require some care and planning to protect your investment.

While shrink sleeves are a great option for anyone looking for a label that provides 360-degree coverage, one downside is that these labels are very sensitive to environmental factors before application. If shrink sleeves get too hot or cold before they’re applied, they can warp. Not only can this destroy part of your design, it may ruin some shrink sleeves altogether.

To solve this, you’ll want to make sure that your shipping and storage situation can accommodate your shrink sleeves. Depending on the time of year and your location, that can mean temperature-controlled shipping or utilizing temperature gauge labels to check a shipment before you apply damaged sleeves. As for storage, you’ll want a climate-controlled space – or at least one that won’t become freezing cold or sweltering hot when the weather shifts.

A six-pack of beer with durable product labels sitting on a storage space floor.

Invest in the Durable Labels for Your Environments

There’s a lot more to a label than just the design. From the liner to the top coat, every part plays a role in your label. When you work with Blue Label, we help you invest in durable labels designed for your specific performance and budget needs – all while ensuring that your design dazzles your customers.

Want to work with a company that can provide you with quality, cost-effective labels that can stand the heat (or cold)? Contact us today about your next label printing project.